Pumpkin Pie Playdough

A loooong time ago, as some of you may remember, I had a recipe blog called Haute Plates. I haven't posted to it in years. I made the decision that it was better to have everything in one place - here, on Bringing Up Burns. But, as I was going through the old archives on Haute Plates this morning, looking for my Pumpkin Bread recipe...I realized there are several recipes I never finished transferring over here. When I stumbled upon this playdough recipe (and Molly and Munch's cute baby faces!!) I knew it was time to move this one over. We might even have to make some today. I'm ready for my house to smell like FALL! 

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(Originally posted November 13, 2008)

On the days that Megan goes to school and Molly stays home, Molly is a little forlorn. She misses Megan and wishes she didn't have to stay home with the "babies." So I try and do something special with her on these days. Today we made Pumpkin Pie Playdough and she LOVED it! It was super easy, and smelled so good. I had to share the recipe with you.

Ingredients:

1 cup flour

1/2 cup salt

2 teaspoons cream of tartar

2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 cup water

Food coloring (we used 6 drops of red and 15 drops of yellow)

Directions:

Combine the dry ingredients in a nonstick saucepan.

Add the oil, water, and food coloring and whisk until smooth.

Stirring constantly with a rubber spatula, cook the mixture over medium heat until it forms a ball, about 3 to 4 minutes.

Turn the dough onto a counter, let it cool slightly, then knead the dough until it has a smooth texture, about 1 minute.

The dough will keep up to a week in a ziplock bag.

I thought it would be fun to make some "stems" for our pumpkins. I put some fusilli pasta in a ziplock bag and added 5 drops of green food coloring and a teaspoon of vinegar. I let Molly squish it all together in the sealed bag until the noodles were well colored. Thankfully everything in this recipe is non-toxic...just in case your kids try to eat it, like my little Munchie did!

Then I poured the pasta onto a cookie sheet and put it in the oven for 10 minutes at 250 degrees. (Just so the green would fully dry and not get all over the kids' fingers!)

After the noodles cooled off, Molly went to work and made a whole family of pumpkins!Hope you have as much fun making Pumpkin Pie Playdough as we did!

Wyatt's Minecraft Birthday

How is my Munch 7 years old already? 

Wyatt is OBSESSED with Minecraft, so naturally...that's what he wanted for his birthday party. I really didn't know hardly anything about it before I started planning this party. Now I see everything in perfect square formations and understand terms like Diamond Steve 

The Best.

There simply aren't enough words in the English language to describe how much I love this kid. Yesterday I told him he had to stop growing up and he said to me, "Mom, I'm not Peter Pan!"

A couple years back, one night when I was tucking him in, he said to me, "Mom, you are the best." To which I kissed his forehead and replied, "No Wyatt, you are the best!" To which he raised his eyebrows and shrugged his shoulders and said "We are the best TOGETHER!"

Ever since, we say that last line in unison every night.

The best. Together. 

Some Indy Party Sneak Peeks!

The cutest "Raider" I know!
He told me to call him Dr. Burns or Indiana Wyatt all day.
When I kissed him goodnight he said,
"You can call me Munchie again now, Mom."

So...for those of you dyyyyying to make your own pinata??? Let me suggest you start more than 24 hours in advance of when you want to crack that thing open. Unless you too have a SAINT of a Papa who is willing to sit on his bum for hours on end and use Grammie's $100 hair dryer to speed up the process!!

Yesterday was a blast. Fun was had by all. Munch said it was the "Best party ever!" and I even impressed myself with how well the cake turned out. Wyatt's cakes always seem to be the most ambitious of my attempts (remember THIS ONE and THIS ONE and THIS ONE?!) This year was no exception, maybe my most ambitious, but it all came together. I was selfish and cut from the back because I couldn't bear to wreck it only 15 minutes after getting it all assembled!

Full party post coming later this week. I had a lot of fun planning and creating this party. I couldn't have done it without my fabulous MOM! Put the two of us together and we are a creative force to be reckoned with...(or backed away from!)Special props also to my sweet husband, who raided (pun intended) his Biology classroom for many of the props! The real skeleton, alligator, piranha, bearded dragon, various skulls and REAL LIVE BOA CONSTRICTOR made the party.

Indiana Wyatt's Birthday Invites

Wyatt decided on an Indiana Jones theme for his Birthday party this year. Actually, he started out requesting an "Egypt and Snakes" party...and I was like "what the heck even IS that??" and after some more investigating I learned he wanted a party "like that movie I watched with Dad where the guy has a whip and there's lots of snakes and he's in the desert fighting Indians"..."You mean Egyptians?"..."Yeah! Like the ride at Disneyland?"

OK! Got it...Indiana Jones.

Later that day, one of Wyatt's friends, who had been over when this conversation was going down, went home and told his mom, "Wyatt is having a Trader Joe's party for his birthday." Mouths of Babes. 

Once I had something to work with, I quickly got obsessing.

First had to come the invites. 

I searched Polyvore for Indiana Jones images and found this map.

Then I found THIS SITE where you can create and download one text in the Indiana Jones font for free. (I didn't really want or need the font on my computer forever, so this was perfect!)

Then I used PicMonkey to add the rest of the details.

After I printed them out, I burnt around the edges and added some spiders.

Wyatt had fun hand delivering them around town!

Our house is currently being turned into a jungle and a temple and a tomb.

Can't wait to share more pics!

First Day of School!

All three kids are at the same school this year. I dropped them off and came home to an empty, silent house. It is interesting to say the least! 

I am so excited for them. I loved school and right now, all of them do too. I hope it always stays that way. Even though the first week or so of getting "back to routine" always throws me off, I am looking forward to it. To homework, regular bedtimes, football games, colder weather...I think I am ready for FALL. 

I've taken these same shots, in front of our gate, every year they have gone to school. It was a little frantic this morning, but I refused to not take them! Thankfully they were still all willing to play along with my traditions and didn't put up too much of a fight. Except Munch...he was doing his crazy grin until I said, "Please just look at the camera and smile nice...think of something funny."

He screamed, "Son of a Nutcracker!" and then I got this shot.

Isn't he special?

Ok...now I need to go DO something with myself. 

THIS was released today.

Don't think for one second I wont be cracking that the minute I'm done with this post. 

And tonight I will be HERE.

FOR REALS. I will hear my THEME SONG live. I might cry.

And these two are opening for them. Like, whoa.

There is so much awesome crammed into today.

Somebody pinch me.

Ballin

Wyatt's first year of baseball started a few weeks ago. He was very excited to be on the Angels! He is loving practice and games and all the gear. He has his own bat bag and glove and hat and pants and jersey and long red socks and cleats and even a CUP. It puts it all on and walks around the house in a way that I might die. 

Remember this post?

He's been ready for this day for sooooo long!

The morning after his first practice, he came out dressed and ready for school with his cleats on. I had to explain to him that cleats were only for baseball, on the field, not for school. He was so upset. Cried alligator tears for 15 minutes. "These are my faaaaaaaaavorite shoes! I don't want to take them off ever!" 

His first game brought both tears to my eyes and giggles to my heart. All of them are still so little. Many barely understand the basics and struggle to hold the bat (or drop it after they've hit the ball!!) But they are so enthusiastic. It's a lot of adults yelling "Swing! Swing! Swing!" followed by "Run! Run! DROP THE BAT! Run!" followed by "First Base! Stop! Come back! Stop!" followed by cheers louder than if it were the World Series.

Right now - every kid gets to bat. No one gets out. You are pitched to until you get a hit. (unless it's taking forever, then they bring out the tee) At his first game, Wyatt didn't need the tee in his 3 at bats and fielded the ball a few times. Even throwing it in the right direction when he let it go again. I call that a WIN! It's fun for him to have his own thing. To have something his sisters can sit on the sidelines and cheer him on in. I feel like he's been the one tagging along to their events for so long! I'm looking forward to many more Spring mornings cheering on this kid, my angel, always.

Grandparent's Day

It's Grandparent's Day at Wyatt's school today.

I really hope Papa Don remembers to wear his rainbow pants.

How cute are kid drawings? I love the circle hands with the five fingers. And the eyes, nose and mouth. And Papa's spikey gray hair!! But best of all, I love that he drew them holding hands. Be still my heart. Wyatt loves you, Papa Don!

Memory Lane

In honor of it being Wyatt's Birthday Week - today's Memory Lane his birthday letter from last year. Time is still passing at the speed of light. And that's one of the many things that keeps me blogging. Being able to go back and read and see things like this post...make me stick with it!

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Four My Munch

originally posted September, 21, 2012

To Wyatt on your Fourth Birthday,

You and me, we have a special thing.
It probably gets you off the hook more times than is beneficial to your character.
Your sisters and Daddy probably want to roll their eyes at it.
But that's the way it is.
That's what we have.

Munch, are you really FOUR?!
Didn't you just fit right inside me?
I remember laying on my bed about a week after you were born and physically feeling SAD that there would never be another baby inside me.
Ahem...one second later I laughed out loud, because I was miserable those last few weeks you were inside me.
Hot, fat and miserable!

Because that is what motherhood does to you.

Somehow a chubby, blue eyed - cries all night you have to sleep with him on your chest in the Bjorn just to get him to be quiet- kid, shows up.
And he takes a hold of your heart.
And you forget all about heat waves.
And 65lbs of weight gain.
And not being able to pick up my little ponies from the floor.


As a matter of fact...your whole world gets turned upside down.
You used to think you'd be just fine with nothing but princesses and pink and my little ponies.

Because that is what motherhood does to you.
Somehow a wild, loud - innately knows how to make car crash and bomb explosion noises with his mouth - kid, shows up.
And the glitter and the pink begin to mellow.
And you learn to assemble train tracks and lego cities.
An jedi and saber and wookie and lightspeed join your vocabulary.

As a matter of fact...lightspeed is exactly how fast it all goes.
From the minute that BOY is set in your arms, to the minute he's FOUR and already a little man.
No matter how hard you try to stop, slow, savor...
You surrender.

Because, that is what motherhood does to you.
Years fly by with the speed of light.
And there is nothing you can do.
But Enjoy!

Wyatt, my Munch...
No matter how many years old you are,
No matter how fast they may speed by,
You are my LIGHT.
I will always be in awe of you.
In love with you.
And SO thankful for all that you have given me.

Because that is what motherhood does to you.
I am so blessed to call you mine.

Happiest of Birthdays my boy.
Here's to Four More years.
Of bumps and bruises, bashes and buzzes.
I love you.
Kissimos!

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I am beyond blessed by "what Motherhood does to you."

I can't begin to define the ways it has

Changed me.

Surprised me.

Excited me.

Exhausted me.

It's one of those things you think you understand when you are signing up for it. But really...there is no way to understand, until you are in the thick of it. In the years since I first gave birth, I've become a lot less judgmental. And I've become a lot more liberal. Funny, because those were parts of me I didn't think had anything to do with raising children. What's one thing Motherhood has "done to you" that you weren't expecting?

Dear Little Man

Dear Wyatt,

Today you are 5. Whaaaaaaat?! 

That can't be true. 

But it is! 

And you are such a little man already.

You walk with a swagger.

You make sure everyone knows when you fart.

You tuck a mean football.

You go commando.

You love dirt and tools and things that explode.

You snore. Sometimes.

You think you're always right.

Yes, in many ways you are already a man. It's got me wondering what the years ahead will hold as you continue to grow. How do I teach you, shape you, mold you, guide you into being the sort of MAN I hope in my heart you will be? What are the lessons I want you most to know? What makes a Good Man?

I don't have all the answers to those questions. And I'm still not sure how I'm going to do it. But I'm happy I have your awesome Daddy (a very Good Man) to help me. And God. (He's a Good Man, too.) Along the way, I'm sure I'm gonna mess it up, fight my own frustrations, suffer through my own shortcomings. And for that I apologize in advance! But today, my hope is that these lessons below are ones you learn as you grow. Through my words, by my example, and from my love.

Five Ways to be a Good Man

Get Involved

Play a Sport. It will teach you valuable lessons about being a part of a team and grow your muscles. Pick a Club. Music, Art, Theater, Debate - it will grow your self awareness and help you when it's time to step out of your comfort zone. Do for Others. It will reward you in ways no 'I-focused' event ever can and it will grow your heart. Education is more than academics. Grow your whole person.  

Be Faithful

There are going to be times when life is hard to understand. Those you love are going to fail you. You are going to fail yourself. Believe in something bigger. Believe you have purpose, even in the hours you're not sure what it is. Especially then! Find beauty in simple things and take the time to find it in people too. Believe in your heart you are fiercely and unconditionally loved. Just for being YOU. Pray. Arm yourself with scripture. Believe. 

Use Your Manners

Don't roll your eyes. I'm serious. Manners are not old fashioned or lame. Pull out chairs, open car doors, take your hat off indoors. Cover your heart when saying the Pledge of Allegiance. Bow your head when saying Grace. And alwaysalwaysalways hold open doors for ladies...even if you end up standing there for minutes. It's appreciated and swoon worthy. I promise. 

Walk In Love

In the smallest aspects of life, wherever you are - on the field, on the sidewalk, in the grocery store; at work, at home, at church - interact with integrity and compassion. Be kind and respectful. To people, to animals, to ideas. Differences are to be enjoyed and celebrated, not demeaned or judged. Be a loyal friend and partner. Be a good listener. Be trustworthy and honest. Always choose love.

Keep Your Hands To Yourself

Don't get into fist fights. First off, it's gonna scare me to death. But second, it's just trashy. Keep your cool. Use your words. Be the bigger person and walk away. If some jerk is putting either of your sisters in a compromising situation however, kick his ass. I'll bail you out. Every time.

Wyatt, my love...

My hope for you is that you grow to be a Good Man. By getting involved, being faithful, using your manners and walking in love (and away from fist fights!) - you will not only be a good man, you will do this world some good. I hope all these things for you. And that you always come home to your Mom for Christmas. Deal? 

Happiest of Birthdays, Munch.

My heart explodes with love for you. I sometimes wonder how I will live through it...being your Mom and loving you so. There is no limit to the lengths I will go to ensure your happiness. I'm forever in your corner. 

Love, Mom